Exploring the Spice M-5161n: A Feature Phone from 2010
In today's world where smartphones have taken over, it's easy to forget about the simpler days of feature phones. But for those who grew up in that era, the Spice M-5161n brings back a wave of nostalgia.
The Brand and Release Date
The Spice M-5161n was released in 2010 by the Indian mobile phone company, Spice. It may not have been as popular as other brands, but it had its own loyal fan base.
The Operating System and Dimensions
The M-5161n was a feature phone, meaning it did not have advanced capabilities like smartphones do today. It weighed only 88g and had a thickness of 14.6mm, making it a compact and lightweight device. It used a simple operating system that served its purpose well.
Storage and Network
The M-5161n had 1MB storage space, which could be expanded with a microSDHC card. This may seem minuscule compared to the storage capacities of smartphones now, but back then it was enough to store important contacts and messages. It also operated on GSM network technology, with support for 2G bands of GSM 900/1800. It had GPRS but did not have EDGE capability.
Launch and Status
The Spice M-5161n was announced and released in the same year, 2010. However, it is now discontinued and not available for purchase anymore. This means that if you are lucky enough to still have one, it is now considered a vintage device.
Body and Display
The M-5161n had dimensions of 110 x 47 x 14.6 mm and weighed only 88g. Its compact size made it easy to carry around in pockets or bags. It also had a flashlight, making it a useful device for emergencies. The phone's display was a simple TFT screen with 65K colors. With a size of 2.0 inches, it had a screen-to-body ratio of only 24.3%, which may seem small compared to today's standards, but it was decent for a feature phone at that time. The resolution of the screen was 176 x 220 pixels, with a density of approximately 141 ppi.
Memory and Camera
The M-5161n had a dedicated microSDHC slot for storing extra data, and its phonebook could hold up to 1200 entries. It also had the capacity to store 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls in its call records. The main camera was a single lens and could take videos. However, it did not have a front-facing camera, so selfies were not possible.
Sound and Communications
While the M-5161n lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, it did have a loudspeaker and Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP capability. It did not have WLAN or positioning features, but it did have FM radio with scheduled recording options. It also had a USB port for transferring data.
Other Features
The M-5161n supported SMS and MMS messaging, as well as WAP 1.2 browsing. Users could also download games onto the phone. However, it did not have Java support. It did have an MP4/H.263 player and an MP3/WAV/AAC player, making it a decent music and video device. Other features included auto power on/off, voice memo, and predictive text input.
Battery Life and Price
The M-5161n had a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, which was decent for a feature phone. It could last up to 300 hours on standby and up to 4 and a half hours on talk time. As for its price, it was relatively affordable, with a cost of around 30 euros at the time of release.
Conclusion
The Spice M-5161n may not have been a groundbreaking device, but it served its purpose well as a simple and reliable feature phone from 2010. Its compact size, decent camera, and music features made it a popular choice amongst budget-conscious consumers. While it may now be considered outdated, it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who owned and used it.
